Method for monitoring chassis functions and chassis components

Abstract

To monitor chassis functions and chassis components of a motor vehicle and/or to detect wear, wear trends, component defects or declining functions, information provided by control systems mounted in the vehicle and/or obtained by way of additional sensors is evaluated. Evaluations relating to vehicle dynamics are carried out on the basis of said information, with reproducible vehicle or driving conditions, and taken into account in order to statistically evaluate specific features, which directly or indirectly reflect chassis functions and/or the condition of chassis components, and to subsequently identify defects or malfunctions.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . A method for monitoring chassis functions and chassis components of a motor vehicle, including the steps of 
 evaluating information provided by at least one of the elements of the group,    consisting of control systems mounted in the vehicle and additional sensors,    performing evaluations relating to vehicle dynamics on the basis of said information with reproducible conditions, and    taking into account the evaluations relating to driving dynamics in order to statistically evaluate specific features which reflect chassis-related conditions, and    to subsequently identify defects.    
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , 
 wherein for detecting the vehicle or driving conditions and for carrying out evaluations, the following signals sent by sensors of an electronic brake system provided in the vehicle, are utilized:    wheel speed information,    transverse acceleration,    yaw rate, and    system pressure.    
   
   
       11 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , 
 wherein additionally at least one of the following quantities are determined and evaluated:    vehicle deceleration and    suspension travel.    
   
   
       12 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , 
 wherein at least one of the following reproducible specific conditions are detected and evaluated by a detection of patterns on the basis of the information supplied:    straight travel    cornering    stable vehicle    unstable vehicle    freely rolling vehicle    decelerated vehicle    accelerated vehicle    
   
   
       13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , 
 wherein the detected specific conditions and anomalies induced by a defect and typical of a situation are taken into account when assessing and evaluating the obtained information.    
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , 
 wherein the evaluation of the detected conditions and the anomalies induced by a defect and typical of a situation takes place only when the conditions satisfy predetermined qualitative and quantitative conditions.    
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , 
 wherein the detected anomalies are accumulated related to features within a statistical program algorithm and considered and evaluated as a whole.    
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , 
 wherein at least one of the two following actions are performed as soon as the anomalies are detected:    issuing a warning signal    making an error input in a memory.    
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , 
 wherein at least one of the two following actions are performed as soon as the anomalies have exceeded a defined perception threshold:    issuing a warning signal    making an error input in a memory.